"She is a good pilot and a good kid.", Nicole looked at T'Ken.
"She cannot pass the academic exams.", TKen looked at Branson.
"Monica was able to pilot the Trojan Horse without incident.", Nicole observed.
"It's a god damn Miranda Class. It's a dinosaur. I will not have the Rutgers name on a false graduate. What if she crashed the Quest!", T'Ken snapped.
"What would Viceroy say then?", T'Ken taunted.
"Look, she wants this. I want her to have it. What will it take?", Nicole cut to the chase.
"A successful academic test.", Saehir Marrus entered the room.
"She get nervous. She has test anxiety but she will be a damn fine pilot. Why not just use the practical scores?", Nicole almost begged.
"Each person must pass the technical exam.", Saehir snapped, picking up a deck of cards from the Governor's desk. The cards were left the by Branson after her infamous victory over Komol.
Nicole looked at the cards, "What about a game of chance?"
"For a Rutgers Technical Degrees? Not a chance.", Saehir look at Nicole, pissed that she would even suggest it.
"Wait a minute.", T'Ken interrupted.
"What?!?", Saehir snapped.
"What is your ante? If we put up the degree, what do you put up?", T'Ken teased.
"What do you want?", Nicole looked back.
"If I win, you leave the stupid pig and you become my First Lady.", T'Ken poured a Romulan ale.
She handed Nicole the glass. Nicole swirled the liquid, "The stakes are too high.", she muttered.
"Come on, Lady Luck. Are you a coward?", Saehir showed her Romulan dark side.
Nicole looked at Saehir, "Commander's rank with honours."
T'Ken laughed, "Now we are playing!"
"Lt. Commander.", Saehir looked at Nicole.
"High card wins.", T'Ken looked at Nicole.
"Certainly.", Nicole exposed the top of her left nipple.
T'Ken turned over a black ten of spades. She looked worried.
Nicole smiled, "There are many face cards in the deck, Governor."
Nicole winked and turned over the Jack of Hearts...
"Lt. Commander with Distinction delivered to my place before I get home.", Nicole looked at Professor Marrus.
"F***!!", the Romulan exclaimed in sheer anger.
"Wait!", T'Ken stoically announced, "This could still work."
"What? How?", Saehir grumbled.
"Tell her.", T'Ken glared at Saehir.
"Tell who?", Saehir asked.
"Tell Lt. Commander Monica Pan'Taar exactly how she achieved her degree. Tell her that Nicole Branson cheated for her. Tell her she does not deserve it and Branson has clouded her career forever.', the Romulan showed the dark side that has characterized her people for decades.
Nicole walked into her house. Monica was sitting on the couch holding a celebratory glass of wine.
"Congratulations! Lt. Commander Monica Pan'Taar.", Nicole smiled looking at the uniform on the table.
"Nicole, Professor Marrus told me everything. She told me what you did.", Monica announced.
"Dear lord!", Nicole exclaimed.
Before she could beg for forgiveness, Monica stood up and removed her shirt and pulled the khaki of the King's Fleet over her torso. She turned around, "It's alright, Nikki. I am a freakin' Lt. Commander and a real pilot!!"
She ran towards Nicole and held her and kissed her.
"Let's get you out of those cloths.", Nicole giggled.
"Everything but the uniform top. I am a pilot!! I am a pilot!!", Monica exclaimed.
Posted by:
Lt. Commander Monica Pan'Taar
Flight Command Graduate - Rutgers University
Technical Degree With Distinction
Camelot
King's Fleet
